Henry's Medieval ABCs Trivia Quiz

Answer: Argent

In heraldry, tinctures are the colors that are used to emblazon a coat of arms. From the Latin "argentum", argent is a silver tincture, often depicted as white. It is said to represent the pearl, the moon, and silver metal.

Answer: Braies

Before the Middle Ages, braies were worn by German and Celtic tribes as a type of trouser. Now they are considered to be underpants. Made of leather, cotton, or wool, they commonly reach to the knees or mid-calf.

Answer: Coif

Coifs are worn by men and women of all classes. Made of plain, white linen, they usually tie under the chin. Also a type of chain mail armour, the coif covers the head, shoulders, and neck.

Answer: Donjon

The donjon, or the keep, is a fortified tower built in a castle complex. It is the stronghold of the castle, and when the castle is under attack, the noncombatants go there for safety. During times of peace, the donjon is where the lord's family lives. The first keeps were made of timber, but ours is made of stone!

It's easy (and quite common) to confuse donjon (keep) with dungeon (which in French is oubliette).

Answer: Enceinte

The enceinte is the main line of defense around a castle. Including a curtain wall with towers, the enceinte may either be freestanding or combined with other buildings. It not only provides protection, but also supplies the wall walks for look-outs, and a defensive position if the castle is attacked.

Answer: Freehold

For an estate to be a freehold, it must meet two criteria. First, the property must be land and all that naturally goes with it such as trees. Next, the ownership must be of an indeterminate duration. In other words, if the person is considered to be the lord's vassal, he is not a freeholder.

The Domesday Book showed in 1086 that 12% of the people in England were freeholders. However, in the reign of King Stephen ("The Anarchy", 1135-54) a number of freeholders were bullied - or to be more precise, tortured - into surrendering their freeholds and becoming vassals.

Answer: Garderobe

Actually a garderobe is either the toilet, or a small room where people keep their valuable clothes or other possessions. Sometimes it is both, because people believe the smell of ammonia will protect clothes from fleas! A garderobe in a castle has an opening that leads out to the moat.

This can be a vulnerable area. Believe it or not, sometimes enemies try to send a person up the garderobe to infiltrate the castle!

Answer: Hide

The hide was the earliest measurement of land to be used for taxation in England. The amount of land needed, of course, varies from place to place according to the size of the family and quality of the land. It is usually estimated to be about 120 acres. However, we estimate that the typical peasant family on our estate only needs about 30 acres.

Answer: Illuminator

Sometimes called a limner, an illuminator is a painter of ornamental decoration. Many monasteries have fine manuscripts that are illuminated by monks who have artistic ability. There are talented layman as well. For example, we have heard about William de Brailes, who was from Brailes, Warwickshire. He is well known for illuminating both religious and secular works.

Answer: Jupon

A jupon, also called a surcoat, can be worn by men or women. Many times a knight's jupon will be blazoned with his coat of arms, which makes identification a bit easier! The jupon also helps to protect the chain mail; for example, if it starts to rain, it can help keep the mail from corroding.